Sunday, September 4, 2011

Review ShadowHeart-Slayer by Claudy Conn

Her name is Nikki Walker, and she is a vampire slayer. She never thought she would have to use her slayer powers ... but she does. She is on the trail of an ancient and secretive vampire called Deadly Moon, and Nikki wants her dead. She has her reasons.

His name is Damon Drummond who some of you have met before, and already know that he is a hunk of an unusual vampire. He is bent on keeping Nikki away from Deadly Moon.

The sociopath vampire, WB, who had been Pentim Rawley's right hand man has taken over the Pentim clan, and is turning out to be even more of a problem than his predecessor had been. In fact, if someone doesn't do something soon ... Dublin will go dark under his power, and other cities will follow.

Damon and Nikki are on opposite sides. He is a potent vampire — she is a skilled and powerful vampire slayer. Problem right there — but, when they look at each other, sparks of all kinds fly. Too much stands between them. He will live forever ... she will not ... and yet ...

Rating -

Sexual -

My Review:

This second in Conn's Shadow series is filled with vampires, a vampire slayer, demons, wizards, a Fae prince and an unlikely romance. I think this paranormal romance is actually better than the first book in the series.

Nikki, born a vampire slayer, has "super hearing, super speed, and super strength ... [and is] immune to most vampire magic" but can be killed as easily as any normal human. She's after the vampire that murdered her brother, Deadly Moon, rumored to be the most deadly of the ancient vampires turned by Dracula himself.

Damon, the 400 year old enigmatic vampire from book one, is intrigued by the petite, beautiful slayer. He is not the usual type of vampire as Nikki finds out. He refuses to let himself be drawn in by her, a human who will age and die leaving him to mourn for eternity. But he can't help but watch over her.

When Nikki first meets Damon she is appalled to find herself attracted to him, that she lets him kiss her. A vampire! The chemistry between these two is off the charts hot.

WB, formerly of Pentim's clan, who we met briefly in book one as well, took over the clan after Pentim's death and made it a bunch of thugs who are threatening the safety of all vampires by not being discriminating and careful. Damon knew he and Chad should have killed him when they had the chance. Now they have a major problem.

Clara with the strange "scenting" power, also from book one, returns with a small part in this story. Chad, the lead from book one makes a cameo appearance.

Claudy Conn does an excellent job of making this a stand alone story while incorporating some of the characters from the first book and introducing us to several new characters. Ya gotta luv an author who can work in a reference to Stephen Hawking in a paranormal romance. {grin}

The war is still brewing and now the fae are becoming involved. Can't wait for the next book in the series. I hope to see more of Chad, Shawna, Damon, Nikki and others from these stories in future books.

This is another one I couldn't put down and read in a single sitting. I got so caught up in the action I was sad to see it end. Fans of the paranormal romance, urban fantasy and vampire genres should enjoy this as well.